1:24 AM,
Dec. 3, 2012

Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman is hit by Denver safety Mike Adams in the third quarter of Sunday's game in Denver.

Written by

Roy Cummings
| The Tampa Tribune

There were a few within the Buccaneers ranks who allowed their usually narrow focus to widen a bit last week, daring on occasion to look beyond their most immediate task and actually discuss the playoffs.

You can be sure no such discussions were being had by the Bucs after what happened Sunday at Sports Authority Field, where the Broncos dealt what might have been a death blow to Tampa Bay's playoff hopes.

Not only did the Bucs' 31-23 loss allow the Falcons to clinch the NFC South title, it also exposed Tampa Bay as a team good enough to compete with - but not beat - the members of the NFL's playoff pack. ...